A new primary school was officially opened with an unveiling ceremony yesterday.
Pupils started going to classes at Inverurie’s Uryside School’s in October but its opening was formally marked yesterday by Lord Provost Bill Howatson.
The facility, which costed more than £10million, has replaced Market Place School and is located off the Inverurie to Oldmeldrum road near Osprey Village.
As well as the provost’s ribbon-cutting, pupils also sang songs and head teacher Katie Budge gave a speech.
It has room for 540 pupils and also has a nursery which can accommodate 50 children at any one time.
In addition to classrooms and other learning facilities, there is also an outdoor tarred sports area and a small grass pitch for activities such as football and rounders.
The opening ceremony comes just weeks after the school was forced to close due to a fault with its heating system.
Councillor Gillian Owen, the Aberdeenshire Council education convener, said the pupils’ new surroundings would inspire them to be a success.
“This brilliant new building will be a wonderful place for children to learn and for teachers to work,” she said.
“I am sure they will be inspired to give their maximum in this state-of-the-art-school, which offers first class facilities for this community.”
Gordon MP Colin Clark was also in attendance at the ceremony, and said he was bowled over by the new school.
He said: “The facilities I have seen today and the enthusiasm of the children for their new school is inspiring.
“Well done to all the staff, the builders and the council for delivering an excellent school on budget and on time.”
The authority took the decision to close Market Place School as it was reaching capacity.
The old school will be mothballed.
Earlier this year, pupils put their memories of the school in a time capsule and buried it in the grounds of the new facility.
The time capsule was filled with items suggested by the pupils including a school photo album, a calendar of school events, a school dinner menu and a local newspaper.